However, the ASGI — the association which represents middle-ranking gardai — strongly opposes the decision to release this information because the complaints have not been validated.

The Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (ASGI) has hit back at the Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) after they issued a statement on complaints made about Gardai. Pic: Colin Keegan/Collins

While issuing the statement, the Garda Ombudsman said that they wanted to share the information in order to identify issues that may be emerging in the enforcement of the restrictions in order to assist garda management.

AGSI General Secretary Antoinette Cunningham opposes this decision questioning why the body released the statement in the middle of a crisis when they don’t even know if complaints meet the legal criteria.

She has said that the release of these complaints is ‘unfair’ to the gardai.

The statement, which was issued on Thursday, outlined that 70 complaints have been made to GSCO about the Gardai’s handling of the COVID-19 restrictions. Photo:Gareth Chaney/Collins

The Garda Ombudsman has since said that they do not know if these 70 complaints are valid or if they meet the legal criteria as they have not been assessed.

A number of complaints to GSOC were about Gardai asking people to turn around and go home if they were going beyond 2KM from their home.

Other people told GSOC that they were unhappy about Gardai being ‘rude’ or ‘abrupt’ at checkpoints.

The ASGI — the association which represents middle-ranking gardai — strongly opposes the decision to release this information because the complaints have not been validated. Pic: Fran Veale

However, most of the complaints were about Gardai not adhering to social distancing measures themselves or not wearing gloves and masks at checkpoints.

The AGSI has now pointed out that Gardai cannot wear face masks as they have been instructed not to do so by the Chief Medical Officer Tony Holohan.

The complaints seem to be few and far between as Garda Commissioner Drew Harris confirmed that there has been high levels of compliance at COVID-19 checkpoints around the country.

The AGSI has now pointed out that Gardai cannot wear face masks as they have been instructed not to do so by the Chief Medical Officer Tony Holohan. Pic: Getty

To date, 76 people have been arrested for travelling for non-essential reasons or for flouting social distancing guidelines.

Gardai relaunched Operation Fanacht earlier this week as they prepared to ramp up checkpoints ahead of the Bank Holiday weekend.

From 7am on Tuesday, April 28 until Monday night, May 4, Gardai will operate ‘thousands’ of checkpoints around the country.

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